Jonathan Jones’s column about our strikes at the National Gallery (Why the National Gallery strikes could turn me Tory, theguardian.com, 4 August) misses the basic point that we continue to try to negotiate an end to the dispute but the gallery refuses.
Most recently, we sought a return to Acas for talks about our detailed proposals for new flexible contracts for existing and new staff. We remain convinced we could reach an agreement that balances the gallery’s need to increase flexibility with ensuring no one is worse off as a result.
But instead of getting back round the table, the gallery has brought forward its award of the contract to a security company that would take over 400 of the 600 staff – including all visitor services, gallery attendants, ticketing and retail staff.
It has already hired a private firm to run the Sainsbury wing for a year without any consultation or competitive tender. And it was linked to this issue that, on the eve of the first strike in February, the gallery first suspended then later sacked one of our representatives, Candy Udwin.
Like Jonathan Jones, we want the public to be able to enjoy the wonderful artworks on display. But blaming us for stoking this dispute is completely unjustified.
Mark Serwotka
General secretary, Public and Commercial Services union
